Terri Sewell

Alabama U.S. Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville and members of the Alabama’s congressional delegation are quickly responding to surprise U.S. military invasion in Venezuela and the arrest of its president on multiple drug charges.

American military forces attacked the country’s capital Caracas Jan. 3 and captured Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Both are heading to New York to face indictments of international drug operations.

“The step taken today by @POTUS to take the brutal narco-terrorist Nicolas Maduro into custody was bold, courageous, and will save countless lives,” Britt posted on X. “I’m thankful to the members of our military and law enforcement officials who successfully executed this mission and look forward to Maduro having his long-overdue day in court.”

Likewise, Tuberville, called Maduro the leader of a terrorist gang whose drug activities have killed thousands of Americans.

“Thank you to the brave service members who have apprehended this criminal and sacrifice every day to keep America safe,” Tuberville posted. “This is what America first national security looks like. Let this be a warning to anyone who threatens our country.”

Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, praised the action by President Donald Trump and compared Maduro’s reign to other infamous regimes.

“His illegitimate regime brutalized the Venezuelan people, aligned with hostile adversaries like Cuba, Iran, Russia, and China to threaten U.S. security, and operated a narco-terrorist network that flooded our country with deadly drugs that killed countless Americans,” Rogers, a native of Calhoun County, wrote on X this morning.

“I am grateful to the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who once again demonstrated the exceptional skill and capability of the U.S. military.”

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt of Haleyville in Winston County also praised the president for his action today.

“Nicolás Maduro has faced narco-terrorism charges in the United States for half a decade now, and it’s time he face those charges head-on in a U.S. courtroom,” Aderholt said in a statement.

“I applaud President Trump for carrying out his duties to ensure Maduro and his wife are brought to justice. Anyone who kills thousands of American lives as Maduro has done, should be held accountable.”

Aderholt said the U.S. should continue to fight international criminal networks and hold authoritarian regimes accountable when their actions threaten national security.

“America cannot turn a blind eye when foreign regimes enable the flow of deadly narcotics and partner with criminal organizations that destabilize our hemisphere,” Aderholt said. “Justice must be pursued, and accountability must be real.”

While Alabama Republicans praised today’s activity the operation is not without controversy as others question American intervention into a sovereign nation.

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell called the action reckless and demanded answers.

“There is no doubt that Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate and corrupt leader, but President Trump does not have the authority to unilaterally invade a sovereign country, capture its leader, and haul them back to the United States,” Sewell, D-Birmingham, said in a statement this morning.

“His reckless actions threaten to further destabilize the region and put our troops in harm’s way while dragging us into another regime-change war against the will of the American people.”

Sewell said The Trump Administration must explain to Congress and the American people why the attack was justified and how leaders plan to ensure stability in the region. The fact that he did so without even briefing Congress, let alone seeking congressional approval—as required by the Constitution—is extremely alarming and sets a dangerous precedent."

Trump during his address this morning, said the U.S. would run Venezuela until a transition can occur.

“We’re there now but we’re going to stay at such a time that a proper transition can take place,” he said.

Also, questions arise of the massive Venezuelan oil operations and whether those resources served as incentive to American intervention.

Several Democrats in Congress called the intervention an illegal activity that bypassed Congress.

Trump today said American oil companies would play a role in Venezuela’s oil operations. Trump said America’s intervention would make Venezuela’s people “rich, independent and safe.”